Vermona Retroverb Lancet - Sad Day For Generic Filters!

[@MOOTANT1]

It's important for me to acknowledge that I haven't been able to replicate the results achieved with this box since the day I recorded the video. Whether it was beginner's luck, a stroke of divine favour, or some alteration to the box afterwards remains uncertain. However, during that initial period of ownership, everything seemed to fall into place perfectly. What you're hearing in the video was captured within the first couple of days of acquiring it. Despite my efforts to utilize the box to its fullest extent, achieving satisfactory results in my own music required significant tweaking. It's worth noting that this unit is physically quite subtle to use in that the slightest turn of a knob can substantially alter the sound. But keep in mind such nuances are probably inherent to its design and I don't think that's a bad thing. Additionally, the context is crucial to consider; what you're hearing is generally a solitary treatment of a single sound. In the context of a full mix/song, the outcome can vary significantly. I feel compelled to mention this because I'm cautious about musicians, especially those new to the scene, rushing to purchase solely based on this video. Another issue I encountered, which I was unable to resolve, was a persistent ground loop noise that emerged shortly after the recording session. While it wasn't audible during the video production, it became increasingly noticeable, particularly when using distortion, and at times, it became very intrusive. To fix that I would have had to delve into rewiring my studio which I wasn't prepared to do just for one FX box. Eventually, I decided to part ways with it as I found myself rarely using it, and its subtle characteristics didn't align well with my personal musical style. In saying all that I still believe it's a great box and It does have lots of character capable of producing quirky interesting results. if you are prepared to spend the time tweaking it and it suits your music style. But it is not a case of process any sound and it's going to sound awesome type scenario. Lastly, I advise viewers to approach gear reviews on KZbin with a discerning eye. Reviewers will prioritize clicks and views over honesty and very few of them review gear under real-world scenarios - ie in the mix. Maintaining friendly relations with manufacturers for potential perks will influence their assessments, even if money doesn't directly change hands. But gear is gifted and can be sold. Peace😎

[@marksbitz630]

I periodically come back to your video (having discovered it around the time of upload) because you really made this thing sing! Today, I decided to look up your video again for entertainment and found your latest comment. A friend of mine switched to the Filterlancet because his Retroverb was noisey. I'm yet to buy one. Thanks for the transparency.

[@MOOTANT1]

@@marksbitz630 Yes, It seems I could do no wrong on the day of filming.😉 To be fair I did have a few moments with it as the months went by. But the ground loop noise prevented me from using the distortion and verb and the filter alone wasn't enough for me to hold on to it.

[@NicklebyNicholas]

Appreciate the honesty and the update. I was about to buy one - not just on the strengths of your video but it was one of the first reviews I saw - but I'll have another think. This would need to be something I used regularly and found a way into my workflow and your recent reflections suggest that might not happen.

[@RiccardoCastaldi]

I've been using this for many years and the lovely sound is exactly what I remember. It's probably three years or more now that I don't play around with the retroverb, because I went down the modular rabbit hole... and this video has really made me feel guilty to let the thing alone! I just don't get the point of your update comment: I appreciate your honesty, but i believe those infinite sweet spots should be there where you left them. And it's definitely not the most silent hardware, but never to the point of becoming an issue. Anyways, gotta check back mine now, to be sure, so thank you for giving me a reason to get back to that nostalgic sound!

[@MOOTANT1]

@@RiccardoCastaldi I agree with you. My comment is really aimed newcomers who may rush out and buy a product based on a video I have created. The box requires some patience and time to find its sweet spots.

[@reginaldbraithewaite5833]

I wanted you to know how grateful I am for a youtube gear review that involved time, expertise and seasoned, empirical judgment. You, my friend, are a rarity. I've subscribed to your channel and will be watching for other reviews. I don't understand people's enthusiasm for reviewers who have never touched a piece of kit before and can't even formulate ideas. For me, it's like watching someone assess a grand piano who has never played one, doesn't know what to with the piano that just arrived and has no repertoire. So instead of watching a veteran wrest every bit of tone they can from a piece they know well, we endure the removal of packing materials, the ceremonial lifting of the lid and a half-hour of commentary on the flexibility of the hinge.

[@MOOTANT1]

Thanks for the kind words Reginald

[@dionyates2482]

Gratifying to see someone put it so well - this video has sold me on the product. It's also nice to see someone apply the filter thoroughly to continuous tones so we can actually hear it shaping sound. Half the 'reviews' of analogue filters I abandon in a minute because it's a repetitive kick drum feed with painfully slow demonstration - I'd never even heard the self oscillation before.

[@girlinagale]

I needed an analogue filter, searched for weeks but had in the back of my mind I also wanted an envelope generator. I'd ignored Retroverb because I didn't need more reverb, then your video blew me away and I ordered Retroverb. It does delicious sounds, like a synth, can't wait to get into it.

[@MOOTANT1]

I still have mine and use it often. Keep in mind with that video it's just one sound at a time going through it, there is no other context ie how it would sound in a tune. I was also sending rhythmical audio triggers to it. For the most part, I cannot get away with the type of stuff I did in the video on my music. I tend to use it for colouring, or just the distortion and filter. Also, keep in mind its mono which limits its use a bit. Don't get me wrong, It's a fantastic unit for sure but it doesn't work in every tune, every instrument. It can be quite situational, especially when using its more esoteric side vs distortion/filter I feel a bit responsible when people decide to buy one based on the video so I would advise buying from a store you can return it to if you don't gel with it.

[@girlinagale]

@@MOOTANT1 It's going into a mono aux send, should be fine sending an echoed snare through it etc.

[@girlinagale]

@@MOOTANT1 Love Retroverb, have Tanzbär 2 going through it and Moog Mother 32 giving it gates. Best purchase in years.

[@Anthony-sn9kl]

Absolutely brilliant video. Words of wisdom here.

[@mmhcreates]

Sounds wicked. Well played.

[@ChrisDeJuanMusic]

Arrived here looking for a nice outboard spring reverb to add to my studio set up... and now I want to get in to making experimental electro ambient music! Very good video and review of a very good piece of gear! Thanks and you got my subscription :)

[@ZenMountain]

Excellent content, a couple of your videos have been really useful to me, thanks!

[@joezeppyzeppy]

Please do another demo of this unit, would love to see what progress you've made

[@fts4life]

Seconded!

[@nandodolleman7819]

Third!

[@Dolle_Man]

fourth :)

[@javiceres]

Up

[@ushnicyuvnikof2748]

Sixth!

[@Queerpunx]

This video is why I bought my Retroverb. I use it mostly for the spring reverb, I like that the tank sounds less metallic than larger reverb tanks. With that said with the drive you can really make this reverb sound huge and more dirty. The filter is amazing, I’m slowly starting to get into it’s other features. Would love a updated video, this box has to be my favorite jack of all trades, it just does everything well... which is rare!

[@MOOTANT1]

It's a box that takes time to learn. I think I do say in the video it's not a box you can simply turn the knobs to max and get good things happening - it's much more subtle. I might do another video because I have learned a bit more about it.

[@Queerpunx]

@@MOOTANT1 Great point. Dialing in that perfect sweet spot is really were this box shines.. Once you find it, it's magic. I know videos are a lot of work to put together... But I know I speak for many when I say we would really appreciate a updated video. Thanks for all your continued hard work.

[@MOOTANT1]

@@Queerpunx I think another video that uses the input triggers could be interesting. I need to do more experimentation with that.

[@Queerpunx]

​@@MOOTANT1 Diving into input triggers would make for a great video. I've yet to try it myself. I make dub reggae and wasn't expecting the spring to be as beautiful as it is. I also use the drive and filter on drums, it really adds to your sound when printing your tracks. Looking forward to a video update. Cheers

[@BarbesDub]

yeah great vibes!! the filter reverb combo is really a great idea, great use

[@ichigen511]

Fucking epic. Almost brought a tear to my eye so emotional. Thank you.

[@0601989m]

Arite pal a dinna ken how many of these you´ve sold already but here´s me buying one second hand after coming back to your video a number of times over the years.. 1) your tasteful sounds and 2) nae-fiddlin-aboot-while-fiddlin-aboot, eloquent, 99% music-based review totally sold it for me. Ye could´ve been doin this review nonsense for a livin mate, but choose tae make bangin tunes instead! Cheers, arabest frae Barcelona!!!!

[@theeventhorizon-valebridge9512]

An excellent and useful demo of this unit with helpful comments and tips too.....Thank you.

[@MOOTANT1]

Note. Text on the video says I adjusted the Filter to create Harmonics. I was adjusting the Resonance at that point but it does do the same thing with the Filter Freq.

[@oggyogg586]

I just watched this for the second time, it's not just the best demo of this device by far, but one of the best gear demos on youtube, period. I probably won't be able to resist buying it. Your channel is a great source of inspiration and knowledge. I hope you're doing well and you'll post new material in the near future. Cheers!

[@MOOTANT1]

Thanks, Oggy Ogg I try and create content from a musician/producer perspective - not so much a how stuff works angle because there is plenty of that on KZbin. After all the sound is the most important thing imo There has been a lull in content because I've been setting up a sample content label and writing stuff for release on a record label ill be launching this year. So, my mini Empire will look like this: Mootant Records Mootant Audio Samples Mootant You Tube Channel and eventually Mootant Space Travel....ahem.. PS Try and get a demo of the Vermona before you commit. Boxes like this can be situational so it's best to be sure. However I use the unit all the time - so that's a good sign for me.

[@bwah7]

annnnnnnnndddddd this was the nail that convinced me to get this thing. Thank you!!

[@astropolia]

Great demo. Thanks. In my dreams this machine is stereo

[@brianobush]

Really enjoyed this video, nice presentation. Thx

[@FormatWarsBand]

Not only a great video about the gear...I love the reflection at the start. I’ve been using a Vermona PerFourMer and I get the same feeling. So I’m on the hunt for more Vermona gear

[@OSTeez]

17:02 sounds extremely great !

[@simonbrenting]

Out of the trillion demo videos I have seen.. this might be the best

[@girlinagale]

In love with Lancet, thanks.

[@regplasma7906]

Great stuff.Your demo sealed the deal for me .£310 on e-bay kaboom !! Cannot wait to get it for my Industrial music.Thanks.Reg Plasma

[@badx001]

Fantastic Demo. I just watched it again. Now I know what I need for x-mas.

[@ToddMushaw]

Gorgeous. Search is over. Thank you.

[@MOOTANT1]

Now before you go rushing off to buy one do keep in mind the unit requires subtle movements and can be quite fiddly to get the sound you want. But it's a great unit though, so I'm not trying to put you off. Just that in a real-world situation when making tunes it can be tricky to get what you want that fits in the mix. 😉 This demo is single sounds (mostly) which is different from in the context of a song

[@ToddMushaw]

@@MOOTANT1 thanks for the sage advice. I plan on using the Retro on one of the mono auxiliaries on an analog console I ordered from the UK. I was looking for a piece with character. I was leaning towards a vintage digital effects box but somehow landed on the Vermona. I have plenty of plug-ins and an Eventide for the instant gratification stuff. I’m actually looking forward seeing what I can coax out of this box. I’m not in a rush. Perfect Circuit should hire you to create demo vids. Theirs was interesting but yours was waaaaayyy better.

[@MOOTANT1]

@@ToddMushawOk sounds like a plan.😉

[@KimStennabbCaesar]

Great demo, lovely sounds.

[@alternatingbitmusic]

Outstanding review and I especially like your testimony at the very end. I was debating between this and the Knas Ekdahl Moisturizer and after your demo I feel this has a greater range of sound shaping. Thanks

[@chadpescod-realtor3308]

I was relieved to hear that you had a nutator and never quite liked it. I thought the mutator was the holy grail but so very expensive. I grabbed a retroverb mostly because of your video and I love it. Same as the DP/4 which I need to spend more time with.

[@ElMidiLion]

Great video, thank you

[@TomiSimatupang]

Wow that's more than a demo. Really inspiring, thanks + subbed!

[@phable]

You are the man! Beautiful demo!

[@Claidheambmor]

Excellent video. I just wish this was in stereo. But I'll still get one. :)

[@MPW159]

Fantastic thing. As much a live performance instrument as a bit of studio gear (you'll need to learn to 'play' it live, like any musical instrument.) Makes even the cheapest kit sound expensive. I know it's a bit mean Vermona not including the wooden end boards (available as a £20 option)...but trust me, you really really need them for the full glory of this little beauty.

[@boothbuster]

Wonderful demo... best sounding and explained/illustrated! Was on the fence, some other videos made me see the potential, still on the fence after placing order, but this one really solidifies it for me. I’d still like a Sherman bank some day, and a Culture Vulture - But the Decapitator plug-in sounds very much like the Vulture. This on the other hand seems more unique with what it combines, the spring, and the knobs. Like, as analog as analog can get, pretty much...

[@flemingjohn1]

Great demo - thanks!

[@Colonel_Pinecone]

Always loved mind of man , great uploads!

[@MakingMadBeats]

Brilliant Demo! I was in the market for the erica synths fusion box but this seems to be more versatile. Like you mentioned in the video, it can change and mangle a sound radically but also just spice it up a little bit ♥️👍🏽!!!

[@MOOTANT1]

I love it - use the thing all the time.

[@CapriciousBlackBox]

SOLD!!!

[@ArkaHtun]

this vid has definitely got Vermona another customer.

[@gvickerschtick]

Really inspiring processor!

[@aaronreeves2612]

Sounds great! Interested to know what synth you are using around 13:00? -- sounds beautiful

[@rottenjohnny7560]

Great video, it does sound great

[@javiceres]

Sweet examples 👌🏼

[@LSD2600]

Dope tweaking man. 😀

[@Colonel_Pinecone]

6:09 whoo!

[@nandodolleman7819]

really love this video demo, well done :) I was wondering why isn't it stereo in/out? I don't want lose my stereo sound when using this, bummer :(

[@AndyHolt72]

is it fair to say that the Acidbox III from erica synths is almost this unit, minus the reverb but PLUS the stereo?

[@MOOTANT1]

You could dbe right. Talking of Erica Synths I would love to have their Techno System. Maybe someday when I have a spare 4.5k Ill pick one up

[@AndyHolt72]

@@MOOTANT1 one day......

[@gprieur345]

What does the cv ef eg switches on the vcf and vca do exactly ?

[@nickhowe6836]

Fantastic video! You’ve convinced me that I’ve only just scratched the surface with what this amazing unit can do. I was honestly surprised to see that you had the volume knob turned up so high. I seem to introduce high frequency noise from the spring circuit if I have the volume much past 12 o’clock. Have you encountered this?

[@MOOTANT1]

Yes, it can get a bit noisy when using the verb which is a little weird because when I made that video it wasn't anything like as loud as it is now. My studio setup changed after the video so it might be a grounding issue. I'm going to look into that.

[@chancemeeting2849]

I have a spring reverb that gets a bit noisy if it's close to my computer. Try moving it around and see if it gets noisy near certain other devices.

[@klinkske]

I watched this for a few minutes and ordered one for a amazing price, wonder if it was a wrong priced piece...

[@dawidwaniek2060]

Was it ?

[@klinkske]

@@dawidwaniek2060 yeah i was wrong and i did order a lancet filter - not the retroverb - so dumb :D

[@eyesintheskies]

Be great to mod one to use other spring tanks 🤔

[@ushnicyuvnikof2748]

The mono is better than the Slim Phatty?

[@Thegingerwolff]

What were you running into it for this vid?

[@ThomeTeque]

14:50 Is it yours? What is the track name??

[@barrnycharlton8951]

is it stupid i wished it had a compressor too

[@Mortenmo]

Is this stere or mono? Can i use this filter with dj setup , to dj mixer output?

[@girlinagale]

Can the EG be synced to external trigger?

[@paro80]

thanks for this video...

[@ALIVE-888]

Are you playing this with any other synths or is this all the vermona and does it have built-in sequencing

[@ATTACT_TV]

Can this produce chorus?

[@patansy3455]

What are using with the Vermona Lancet? A synth ? Is it being triggered by something or just using a synth on the audio input or a sampler ?

[@yewgong1248]

Loving your Retroverb vids. All the clips on KZbin use drum machines. How does it respond to other samples? Strings, whole tracks?

[@MOOTANT1]

I agree- other demos use one sound sourtce - wanted to let people hear it on a few different types of audio sources. Using it on whole tracks requires two of them and it would be difficult to match them exactly. It's really for mono stuff. Works on anything, very versatile unit. I have processed stereo samples by treating the left and right side independently. Sounds great- very organic/wide/3D.

[@boothbuster]

Just ordered one myself, and was thinking, did I really need a stereo one instead? Is this going to be more limited since I can’t use it on stereo synths or tracks? But I thought the same, just run a sample or track through twice and it will probably sound super wide if the settings are slightly off between left and right! :-)

[@jacco1967]

Love it

[@paro80]

thanks for this video

[@synthshoot1026]

I received mine just 3 days ago. It sounds good, good build quality. Not phenomenal to be honest. Nothing that I can't reproduce in a plugin. But don't listen to me as I feel the same about almost all hardware I tried. My 7 year old kid liked the crash button though.

[@MOOTANT1]

It won't be for everyone, that's for sure. Maybe you will warm to it more as time goes on.

[@Braunld]

@@MOOTANT1 Have you found that there's a discernable range to the (slack / tautness) reverb spring, after adjusting it, or does the crash generally have a sort of 'one-shot' quality?

[@MOOTANT1]

@@Braunld I haven't found any use for the crash button. I understand the reggae guys used a form of this by physically hitting their verb boxes but I think this one is OTT. I take it you mean adjusting the tone knob of the spring which is adjusting the tension of the coil? I wasn't even aware that's how it worked. However, adjusting the tone knob has a fairly hefty effect on the sound of the verb. It goes a bit too dark for my tastes below the 12 0 clock position. I tend to like it from 3.0clock to max. The verb is very basic in general, but the unit is more than spring reverb. My favorite element of it is the HPF mode. I treat it as a tone shaping/EQ sort of thing. Next week will be interesting as I'm recording lots of guitars for a sound design project. So far I have only used the retroverb on electronic sound sources. It will be interesting to see how it plays with organic real instruments. I have a hunch it will be quite effective :)

[@Braunld]

@@MOOTANT1 Thank you for the response! There's actually a hole in the back of the unit--you can adjust the tesion of the spring with a small (very small) screwdriver... there's not much range, though. I'm curious if it's possible to slacken the reverb spring (markedly)

[@MOOTANT1]

@@Braunld Thanks I will check that out

[@drouk22]

no possible update ?

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

Be nice if it had some CV EDIT: oh i see it does. what can the CV be asssigned to?

[@GeekGearSynths]

It can be assigned to the filter cutoff and the VCA. It has a "trigger in" which can be used as a trigger or gate (sustain) for the envelope generator (which could be assigned to the VCF or VCA as well).

[@osi9567]

Great video!

[@NutritionalZero]

Holy shit!

[@rotkod39]

Jaws to the floor

[@jayjones2821]

Wow

[@Makebelieve123]

Holy fuck

[@BarnacleButtock]

Damn. I'm sold